The US is urging Americans in India to leave as soon as possible as the country’s deepening COVID-19 crisis worsens at high speed and some US citizens say they are being turned away from hospitals due to a lack of space.
The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which is the highest alert of its kind, and urges US citizens to not travel to India or leave the country if they can.
The alert is urging Americans who want to leave to take advantage of commercial flights that are running.
There are currently 14 direct daily flights between India and the US and several other options that have transfers in Paris and Frankfurt.
It is not clear if the US plans to cancel flights from India like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai already have.
The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which is the highest of its kind, urging US citizens to leave India if they can. Pictured above are travelers arriving on an Air India flight from New Delhi in Newark airport on Wednesday
The State Department is now urging US citizens to not travel to India or leave the country if they can amid the country’s deepening COVID-19 crisis
In a warning posted on its website, the US Embassy in India said some Americans had reported they were being turned away from hospitals in some cities because they are overrun.
‘New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have risen sharply throughout India to record levels. COVID-19 testing infrastructure is reportedly constrained in many locations,’ the warning said.
‘Hospitals are reporting shortages of supplies, oxygen, and beds for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related patients. US citizens are reporting being denied admittance to hospitals in some cities due to a lack of space.
‘Some states have enacted curfews and other restrictions that limit movement and the operation of non-essential businesses.’
The CDC issued updated guidance last week that put India on a list of about 100 countries that it recommends Americans should avoid traveling to.
According to CDC guidelines, any person flying into the US from another country, including citizens and fully vaccinated people, must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result no more than three days before travel.
There are currently 14 direct daily flights between India and the US and several other options that have transfers in Paris and Frankfurt. Pictured above is travelers arriving on an Air India flight into Newark on Wednesday
According to CDC guidelines, any person flying into the US from another country, including citizens and fully vaccinated people, must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result no more than three days before travel
India’s total COVID-19 cases surpassed 18 million on Thursday with 379,257 new infections
Upon arrival in the US, CDC guidance says unvaccinated people should quarantine for 10 days. They can cut that quarantine time to seven days if they test negative for COVID three to five days after arriving.
Vaccinated travelers should get tested three to five days after travel and monitor their symptoms, according to the CDC.
Meanwhile, India’s total COVID-19 cases surpassed 18 million on Thursday as gravediggers worked around the clock to bury victims and hundreds more were cremated in makeshift pyres in parks and parking lots.
India reported 379,257 new infections and 3,645 new deaths on Thursday, health ministry data showed, the highest number of fatalities in a single day since the start of the pandemic.
The world’s second most populous nation is in deep crisis, with hospitals and morgues overwhelmed.
Each day, thousands of Indians search frantically for hospital beds and life-saving oxygen for sick relatives, using social media apps and personal contacts.
Hospital beds that become available, especially in intensive care units, are snapped up in minutes.
India’s total COVID-19 cases surpassed 18 million on Thursday as gravediggers worked around the clock to bury victims and hundreds more were cremated in makeshift pyres in parks and parking lots
The world’s second most populous nation is in deep crisis, with hospitals and morgues overwhelmed
Each day, thousands of Indians search frantically for hospital beds and life-saving oxygen for sick relatives, using social media apps and personal contacts
India’s military has begun moving key supplies, such as oxygen, across the nation and will open its healthcare facilities to civilians.
Hotels and railway coaches have been converted into critical care facilities to make up for the shortage of hospital beds.
India’s best hope is to vaccinate its vast population, experts say, and on Wednesday it opened registration for all above the age of 18 to receive shots from Saturday.
Although it is the world’s biggest producer of vaccines, India does not have the stocks for the estimated 800 million now eligible.
Other countries are now shipping medical supplies, aid and vaccines to assist.
The United States is sending supplies worth more than $100 million, including 1,000 oxygen cylinders, 15 million N95 masks and 1 million rapid diagnostic tests, the White House said on Wednesday.
The supplies will begin arriving on Thursday.
The US also has redirected its own order of AstraZeneca manufacturing supplies to India, to allow it to make more than 20 million doses, the White House said.
